Team 2 key people
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Edgar Allen Poe- helped make the messenger the most popular magazine in the south. Struggled
to find magazine work and wrote his only novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Ryan. In
January 1845 he published The Raven. Also wrote the Tell-Tale Heart and “The Fall of the House
of Usher.
Henry David Thoreau- known best for his Civil Disobedience essay which he wrote after
spending a night in jail for not paying the poll tax. Began writing nature poetry in the 1840s with
poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. In 1845 he stayed two years on Walden Pond which influenced him
to write Walden.
Ralph Waldo Emerson- Leading exponent of the transcendentalist movement. Unitarian minister
at Harvard Divinity School. His essay Nature which was ground breaking and high controversial
that helped initiate New England transcendentalism. Also famous for Self Reliance
PT Barrium- founder of the first important public museum and creator of the modern three ring
circus. Editor if his own newspaper, the Herald of Freedom.
Washington Irving- author, essayist, and historian. Wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip
Van Winkle.
James Fennimore Cooper- American writer. Wrote sea stories and romantic novels. Whigs
criticized his writing so he filed legal actions and won them all.
Herman Melville- American author, wrote Moby Dick. The Whale saw positive reviews of his
works in England and America launched a 3 year lecture tour about his writings and travels.
Hudson River school artists- represented by Thomas Cole, Asher Durand, and Frederick Church;
painters. Painted scenes around the Hudson River. Thomas Cole painted The Course of Empire.
They wanted to emphasize emotional effect, over accuracy. They wanted to bring back America
because some said it as vanishing.
Frederick Law Olmstead- created a plan along with Calvert Vaux to put a cemetery in Central
Park. Wanted to go for a country-side look. It was to make Central Park on idealized version of
nature, “picturesque”
John Deere- developed the first American cast steel plow; business incorporated as Deere and
Company which still exists.
Samuel FB Morse- developed “lightning wires” and “morse code” which is an electronic
alphabet that could carry messages; in 1861 the two coasts of the US were linked by telegraph
Catherine Beecher- founded the American Women’s Educational Association in 1852 that
focused on furthering educational opportunities for women; also founded Western Female
Institute in Cincinnati and the Ladies Society for promoting education in the West.
Horace Greeley- Newspaper editor; ran for president in 1872; supported the temperance
movement and women’s rights. He opposed slavery but also opposed abolitionist tactics; at one
time in his life he was involved in almost every political and social issue of his era; published
weekly nationwide of the Tribune which gave him national recognition.
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Sylvester Graham – American reformer; temperance minister and advocate of healthful
living.His lectures drew he friends and foes, his advocacy of homemade bread from unbolted
wheat led to him getting the name graham crackers.
James Gordon Bennett- Newspaper proprietor, organized the commercial cable company the
handle European dispatches. Established the London and Paris daily editions.
Margaret Fuller wrote “Women in the Nineteenth Century. Transcendentalist , literary critic,
editor, teacher and political activist.
Nathaniel Hawthorne born in Salem, Massachusetts. Transcendentalist wrote the Scarlet Letter.
Walt Whitman Poem form Long Island, New York Most famous poem “O Captain! My Captain”